The Lake District is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United Kingdom because of the huge range of activities on offer. Visitors can enjoy everything from rock climbing through to the best fine dining in the UK. Here are some of the best things to do in the lake district.
Enjoy the Beautiful Natural Environment
The lake district is home to one of the most pristine and beautiful natural environments in the world. It is a wonderful destination for nature lovers, wth dozens of locations to visit and a wide range of outdoor activities. Here are few of the best outdoor activities.
- Take a cruise on Lake Windermere
The largest lake in England, Lake Windermere is stunning ribbon lake that has formed in a glacial trough. The lake is over 18 km long and over 1.5 km across at its widest point. Visitors can enjoy scenic boat rides which depart from Bowness-on-Windermere. There are 18 islands on the lake, home to a wide variety of wildlife. Lakes Aquarium is also a wonderful day out and is located on the southern shore of Lake Windermere. - Enjoy a Walk Around Derwentwater
Located in the borough of Allerdale, Cumbria, Derwentwater is a spectacular natural body of water in the Lake District national park. Walking around the lake is one of the most relaxing and peaceful activities in the Lake District. The lake features many islands including St Herbert’s island, named after the 7th-Century hermit priest, St. Herbert of Derwentwater. The lake is has been largely untouched by modern development and is surrounded by numerous paths.
Stay at Derwentwater House the perfect place to set up base camp!
- Hike in Great Langdale
Great Langdale is home to a number of hiking trails with varying degrees of complexity. The scenery is spectacular with the nearby mountains framing the green pastures and woodlands. The trails in the Great Langdale are among the best walks in the United Kingdom and should not be missed!
- Predator Experience
Spend a day with wolves, hawks and other predators indigenous to the region. Exciting and interesting, the tour informs nature lovers about the important role that predators play in the natural environment. - Climbing Helvellyn via Striding Edge
Helvellyn is a 3,117ft mountain that provides a challenging and exciting hiking experience. The views are superb! - Catbells Lakeland Walk (Keswick)
Another fantastic walk with stunning views from the top of the mountain. - Buttermere
A more relaxing walk that is all flat and suitable for young children or older people. Follow streams into lakes and enjoy a picnic.
In addition to hiking and boating, there are fantastic opportunities for many other outdoor recreational activities including fishing, water skiing, rowing, canoeing, rock climbing, biking and much more.
Visit Some of the Best Restaurants and Pubs in the World
The Lake District has a wide range of high-quality restaurants and pubs. Dining experiences range from exquisite fine dining through to wholesome and delicious pub food. Here are just a few of the excellent dining opportunities in the region.
- The Old Stamp House Restaurant (Ambleside)
This is a small and intimate restaurant with a beautiful ambience. This restaurant arguably provides the best fine dining experience available in the Lake District. - The Drunken Duck near Hawkshead
This inn produces some of the most delicious and creative meals in the Lake District. Most of the produced is sourced locally and the restaurant focusses on sustainability when choosing its menu.
Birkmere Hall is one of the most unique properties in the Lake District, and you can stay there!
- Choccobar (Bowness-on-Windermere)
A modern coffee shop that has the best hot chocolate in the Lake District — a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth! - Rattle Gill Cafe (Ambleside)
The most highly-rated cafe in the Lake District with absolutely delicious home made pastries and meals. - Cedar Manor (Windermere)
An incredible fine dining experience in Cedar Manor, a 160-year old stately home. Serves authentic British cuisine using locally-sourced produce.
Sight-seeing and Historical Sites
The Lake District has a rich and interesting historical past, with some historical sites dating back thousands of years. Some of the most interesting places to visit include:
- Dove Cottage
The home of William Wordsworth is a must-visit site for any history or literature buff. A modest white-washed home surround by rich greenery, the cottage is filled with Wordsworth memorabilia - Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s House
The home of Beatrix Potter, the famous author, illustrator and scientist. The home is still filled with her favourite possessions and is a charming place to visit. - Castlerigg Stone Circle
One of the first stone circles built in Britain, its age is estimated to be approximately 5000 years old. The location also has some of the most beautiful views in the Lake District - Furness Abbey
Step back in time and visit the ancient ruins of Furness Abbey. A monastery built in 1123, the ruins feature some beautiful medieval stone work.
Whilst learning about the History of the area stay in a property that is PART of the History!
- Holker Hall and Gardens
One of the most impressive stately homes in Britain, it features magnificent gardens which are a delight to explore. - Long Meg and her Daughters
A bronze age stone circle which features more than 60 stones. Long Meg is a 12-foot high block of red sandstone. A truly magical place to visit in the Lake District that you won’t soon forget. - Hutton in the Forest
A magnificent stately home set amongst acres of gardens. Hutton in the Forest offers tours of the house and gardens as well as a woodland walk. A tea room is also on the estate. - Museum of Lakeland Life
A small museum filled with hundreds of artefacts from the Lake District. The perfect place to learn more about the culture of the Lake District
Activities for the Whole Family
There are dozens of activities for the whole family to enjoy in the Lake District. Here are a few of the best.
- Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
One of the most beautiful train journeys in England, this 40-minute ride will take you through some of the best parts of the Lake District.
- Theatre by the Lake
Located in Keswick, Theatre by the Lake hosts a wide range of performances including plays, musical performances, comedies and films.
- Go Ape at Grizedale Forest Cumbria
A fantastic forest adventure for kids and adults alike. Go Ape includes a tree top walk, zip wires and swings. - Joint Adventures
Joint Adventures offer more than a dozen activities including archery, raft building, canoeing, rock climbing, abseiling, gorge scrambling, and orienteering. - Treetop Trek (Windermere)
35 treetop challenges including swings, climbing walls, abseiling, zip wires and much more.
- Crafty Monkeys
A perfectly day out for the more artistic people in the family, crafty monkeys has many arts & crafts activities on offer including painting, pottery, deco patch and more
- Lakeland Motor Museum (Backbarrow)
A great day out for car lovers, the motor museum features dozens of classic cars, bikes and trucks. - The Puzzling Place (Keswick)
Do you love puzzles? The puzzling place has dozens of puzzles and hilarious optical illusions. - The World of Beatrix Potter (Bowness-on-Windermere)
Filled with characters from Beatrix Potters’s stories, it is a fantastic afternoon out for families with young children.
Have an Adventurous Getaway
If you prefer to have an action packed getaway, there are plenty of options in the Lake District including:
- Crags Adventures (Windermere)
A family run company offering gorge walking, canyoning, abseiling, via ferret, rock climbing and more. Suitable for ages 7 and up.
- Keswick Extreme Outdoor Activities
Rock climbing, scrambling, mine climbs, abseiling, white water tubing and more!
- Lakeland Ascents
Focussing on rock climbing, abseiling and canyoning they also offer fantastic guided walks in the Lakeland fells. - Eden Valley Adventures (Penrith)
Eden Valley Adventures offer Ghyll Scrambling, Climbing, Abseiling, Canoeing, Via Ferrata and Raft Building. Family-friendly and suitable for people of all ages.
- Climbing Rocks (Keswick)
Catering for groups of up to 8 people Climbing Rocks focusses mostly on abseiling and Ghyll - Skydive Northwest (Flookburgh)
One of the best ways to see the Lake District is from a great height and you can’t much higher than an aeroplane! Skydive northwest have experienced instructors and can help beginners enjoy skydiving for the first time. - Horse and Husky (Millom)
An exhilarating day out, horse and husky have a team of 12 huskies to take you around the best parts of the lake district.
For more information about the Lake District head over to our Lake District page.
